Trump Calls Resigning Counterterrorism Chief 'Weak on Security' After Iran War Protest

After Joe Kent, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, resigned in protest over the administration's war with Iran, stating Iran 'posed no imminent threat,' President Trump publicly dismissed him in remarks to reporters in the Oval Office. Trump said he 'always thought he was weak on security—very weak' and that 'it's a good thing he's out.' Trump added that Kent's statement claiming Iran was not a threat proved his point, saying 'we don't want those people' who don't believe Iran is a threat. The public attack came as Kent, a Trump appointee who had served in the intelligence community for over two decades, cited he 'cannot in good conscience' support the military strikes in Iran.

"I always thought he was weak on security—very weak... When I read his statement, I realised it's a good thing he's out, because he said that Iran was not a threat... we don't want those people." — Remarks to reporters in the Oval Office following Kent's resignation announcement